Shabu Shabu House

I'd been waiting patiently for the opening of Shabu Shabu House since I first saw the "coming soon" sign back in the beginning of November. Initially the sign read "We will open on November 12th". November 12th came and went, with no sign that this place would be opening soon. Beyond the removal of the target date, you'd be hard pressed to notice anything going on in the place. I'd crane my neck and check out what was going on whenever I passed. Soon enough November turned into December.... and by that time, I'd started losing interest. Luckily, FOY Calvin kept me abreast as to what was going on with the place. Right before Christmas Shabu Shabu House opened.

 

It wasn't that I'd been craving Shabu Shabu, it was more that I was kinda curious. The restaurant itself is very bright, clean and shiny (as you would expect a new restaurant to be), spartan, if a bit antiseptic looking, which is probably a good look, if you'll be serving raw meat.

 

I was seated promptly, and handed the one sheet 'menu". It was very clear, this was a straight up Shabu Shabu restaurant. Along with the standard beef (regular and prime), pork, shrimp, scallops, salmon, mussels and chicken are offered. All offerings come in combo/set form. Lunches range from $11 (8 pieces protein) to $19 (12 pieces prime beef), dinner from $14 to $22.

One quick look at the surroundings and I was pretty sure this was going to be straight up kombu in water Shabu Shabu. In essense it's simple boiled beef, with in this case, a scant piece of Kombu being boiled in good old H2O. So for me, in situations like this, it can come down to the little things that matter. On the good, the service was very nice, if a bit too cloying and hovering, which can be attributed to being new and being eager to please. On the bad, no hot tea, only water and sodas..... for me hot tea goes well with Shabu Shabu. Also the heating device is waaay on the other end of the counter, and if you're "vertically challenged", like ahem...me, you might end up dripping stuff everywhere as the meat makes it's way to your bowl of rice. Part of this was my fault, perhaps I should have taken a seat on the higher counter, where the chairs would have put me in a better position for eating.

The meal sets come with "assorted vegetables", in this case, a large helping of Napa Cabbage, some scallions, enoki mushrooms, a few spinach leaves, and a couple of huge sticks of carrot. Tofu and Udon Noodles are also provided:

 

This was perfectly fine, though perhaps a shiitake mushroom(I'd trade some of the bulky carrot sticks, really I would!), and maybe some shingiku, would have added more flavor and color to the dish.

I went for the Prime Beef Lunch (regular size - $15). Just like Shabu Shabu House in Little Tokyo, they bring out a huge side of rib eye, and slice it fresh for you.

 

It is cut almost paper thin, and the portion size is more than adequate. Not super marbled, but just right for Shabu Shabu. If the meat were too marbled, all the fat would dissolve in the broth, making the meat tough and stringy, and leaving you with the Exxon Valdez disaster in the pot. Again with an eye toward detail, the Gomatare (sesame dipping sauce - for the meat) was decent in flavor, but the accompanying ponzu-ish, soy sauce-ish sauce (for the vegetables) needs some work. The rice was cooked fine, and I was even asked if I wanted more.

After I finished my meat, the young lady working came over, and skimmed my broth! A nice touch! I was provided with a bowl with some dark looking liquid in the bottom.

 

After cooking my udon for short while in the broth,I added it and my remaining vegetables into the bowl, along with some broth, and finished off my meal.

 

And though this was bottled Tsuyu Soup Base, it was added in the perfect ratio for me. It was a satisying end to the meal.

In short, as Calvin wrote, "if you enjoy Shabu Shabu House in Little Tokyo, this is a reasonable facsimile." I couldn't have said it better. Add some hot tea to the menu(another couple came in right after me and wanted hot tea as well), and a better variety of veggies, to go with the freshly cut meat, and I'd be good to go. I don't think I'll grow any taller, so I'll try sitting on the higher counter next time. I found the service to be very good, though it could be because employees out-numbers customers. I think prices are reasonable by San Diego standards. For me, I think I'll make my own at home for a while longer......

Shabu Shabu House
4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 268-8648

Oh yes......you know this parking lot, don't you???? I'll just keep it at that!

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Comments

[sharon]

YUM! Everything looks fresh. I'll take your advice and sit at the bar since I'm also *ahem* vertically challenged.

[kat]

for the price I would have liked to see better cuts of the the chinese cabbage (not the hard stems!) and definitely not carrots...shiitake, please!!

[Johari]

Looks good! Definitely agree about having tea. I'm not a soda drinker, so I'd only be able to get water. Maybe I should just bring a teapot and some tea...

OT, but Ed's Bistro isn't closed. It's just changed into Gapo Resto. I think it's the same owner. And aside from 97 Supermarket, is there any other place in San Diego I can find BeerLao?

[Kirk]

Hi Sharon - Give it shot and let me know how you enjoy it!

Hi Kat - They went full on budget with the veggies....

Hi Johari - You can try World Foods, they carry it on occasion. There are a couple of Lao Markets in San Diego, but I haven't had the time to check them out. I'll post what I find. Thanks for the info on Ed's, I understand that the Owners are from Olongapo...... so that name change makes sense.

[Lynnea]

Sounds warm and comforting. When we get back from Oregon, we'll have to visit the Shabu Shabu House just to get the chill of snow and ice out of our bones =) Thanks for the review.

[Carol]

Looks interesting but I think I still prefer Little Sheep style hot pot versus Shabu Shabu House style. See? You got me all addicted to the half and half and those darn lamb wontons! (ahhh, good times! heehee)

[Kirk]

Hi Lynnea - Happy New Year! You may want to try Little Sheep as well.

Hi Carol - I prefer Huo Guo as well...... but we need to give equal time. ;o)